Four months into his second term, President Trump faces a nation with no patience for excuses, only expectations: fix the economy, secure the border, and bring jobs back. According to a recent nationwide TIPP Poll, the economy tops the list of Americans' concerns, followed by immigration and trade. Inflation and food prices remain the top economic issues. While partisan divides persist, there's a shared urgency across the political spectrum for action on these pressing issues, which are likely to drive the 2026 midterm elections.
Thirty-eight percent of Americans identify the economy as the country’s most pressing issue, followed by immigration and border security at 27 percent.
These insights come from the latest nationwide TIPP Poll of 1,400 Americans, conducted in early May. Respondents were asked, “What are the top three issues facing the country?”
Twelve other issues received double-digit mentions. Leading concerns were trade policy, tariffs, and U.S. manufacturing (21%), health care (18%), trust in government and politicians (16%), homelessness (15%), and the national debt and federal spending (15%).
A second tier of concerns comprised of crime (13%), political division (13%), threats to democracy (12%), home affordability (12%), and climate change (12%). Gun violence and gun control (11%) and U.S.-China relations (10%) also drew notable attention.
The middle tier features terrorism and national security (9%), mental health (9%), and the Russia-Ukraine conflict and global security (9%), followed by abortion (8%) and racial justice (6%).
Some issues seem to have slipped from public attention altogether. Fewer Americans cited the Israel-Hamas conflict (5%), energy policy (3%), or the coronavirus (2%) among their top concerns.
Priorities and concerns varied along party and ideological lines.
For Democrats, the top issues were the economy (36%), trade policy/tariffs/U.S. manufacturing (24%), trust in government/politicians (20%), threats to democracy (20%), and health care (19%).
Republicans, on the other hand, prioritized immigration/ border security (39%), economy (38%), national debt/federal government spending (19%), trade policy/tariffs/U.S. manufacturing (19%), and crime (16%).
Independents tracked more closely with Republicans, prioritizing the economy (43%), immigration (23%), and trade policy (23%), alongside health care (21%) and federal spending (18%).
Top Economic Issues
Inflation (35%), food prices (34%), and tariffs and trade policy (30%) are among the top three economic issues facing Americans.
From a list of 23 economy-related issues, the top concerns were wages not keeping up with the cost of living (20%), recession (17%), people’s ability to pay their bills (15%), home affordability (14%), tax rates (12%), gasoline prices (12%), government spending (11%), and the national debt/growing federal deficit (11%).
Direction Of Country
Each month, the TIPP Poll probes the general sentiment about the country’s direction using the survey question, "In general, how satisfied are you with the direction that the country is going in at this time?"
The latest poll shows that Americans have mixed feelings about the country’s direction. 47% of respondents are satisfied, while 50% are dissatisfied. Republicans are the most optimistic, with 76% expressing satisfaction, while Democrats are the least satisfied, with 71% dissatisfied. Independents fall in between, with 36% satisfied and 59% dissatisfied.
The survey also produces a compact index from responses to the above question. The Index ranges from 0 to 100. A score of 50 or above is positive, below 50 is negative, and 50 is neutral.
Overall, the Index entered the negative zone in September 2021 and has remained there for 42 months. In October 2024, the month before the election, it was 38.7. In May, the Index rose to 47.7.
Republicans are the most optimistic, with a high score of 73. Democrats have the lowest optimism rating at 29.4, indicating extreme pessimism. Independents fall in the middle at 37.2.
The sharp spike in optimism among Republicans and the steep decline among Democrats coincide with President Trump's election, marking a clear partisan shift in sentiment. The flip highlights the nation's deep partisan divide.
Americans remain focused on core issues: the economy, immigration, and trade. Republicans are upbeat, Democrats increasingly pessimistic, and independents fall in between. Many worry the $36 trillion debt is more than a number. It’s a ticking time bomb, with interest payments now outpacing the military budget. On Friday, Moody’s downgraded the U.S. credit outlook, citing the relentless rise in government debt, echoing the people's concerns.
TIPP Picks
Selected articles from tippinsights.com and more
1. The Real First 100 Days—Victor Davis Hanson, The Daily Signal
2. California Considers Downgrading Soliciting Minors For Sex To Misdemeanor—Victor Davis Hanson, The Daily Signal
3. Epic Narrative Fail: Federal Revenue Surges 9% Despite Predictions Of Decline—Editorial Board, Issues & Insights
4. Let’s Face It, Dems Have Always Been ‘Dark Woke’—Editorial Board, Issues & Insights
5. Qatari Jets And Golden Threads—Ben Shapiro, The Daily Signal
6. This Opinion Just In … Most Favored Nation Is A Most Flawed Notion—Deroy Murdock, The Daily Signal
7. End The ‘Nationwide’ Injunction Racket Once And For All—Josh Hammer, The Daily Signal
8. “8647” Firestorm: Trump Says Comey Knew What He Was Doing—TIPP Staff, TIPP Insights
9. A Perverted Loyalty: Symbols, Threats, And Hubris—Editorial Board, TIPP Insights
10. What’s Next For Comey In Secret Service Investigation—Susan Crabtree, The Daily Signal
11. Scapegoating Joe Biden Isn’t Going To Solve The Democratic Party’s Problems—David Harsanyi, The Daily Signal
12. ‘Not Given Full Picture’: Democrats Revise History Of Their Remarks About Biden’s Condition—Jacob Adams, The Daily Signal
13. ‘A Defeated Party In The Wilderness’: Fmr Clinton Pollster Predicts What’s Next For Democrats—Hailey Gomez, DCNF
14. David Hogg’s Sacrifice At The Altar Of DEI Shows Why Democrats Are Losing Young Men—Jarrett Stepman, The Daily Signal
15. Virginia, New Jersey Gubernatorial Races Show ‘Leaning Democrat’ Trends—Joe Thomas, The Daily Signal
16. A Way To Unshackle American Businesses And Boost The Economy—J. Kennerly Davis Jr., The Daily Signal
17. How Many Children Must AI Kill?—Peter G. Kirchschläger, Project Syndicate
18. Coalition Calls For Lawmakers, Tech Industry To Make AI Safer For Kids—Fred Lucas, The Daily Signal
19. The Left Says Quiet Part Out Loud: Whites Need Not Apply For Asylum—Jarrett Stepman, The Daily Signal
20. Trump To Have Phone Calls With Putin And Zelenskyy Aimed At Ending ‘Bloodbath’—Virginia Allen, The Daily Signal
21. Russia And Ukraine Hold Direct Talks For First Time In Over 3 Years—Virginia Allen, The Daily Signal
22. P.T. Bauer’s Reminders On Foreign Aid—Joshua Mawhorter, Mises Wire
23. The Political Business Cycle 50 Years Later—Dale Steinreich, Mises Wire
24. Diversity Is Not Our Strength—Mike Gonzalez, The Daily Signal
25. State Legislators From Across Country Urge End To Federal Funds For Planned Parenthood—Jacob Adams, The Daily Signal
26. Too Much SALT Could Ruin The ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill’—Preston Brashers, The Daily Signal
27. Congress Must End, Or Radically Amend, Temporary Protected Status For Immigrants—Dan Cadman, The Daily Signal
28. Justices To Weigh Birthright Citizenship-Related Injunctions, But Won’t Consider Underlying Issue—Virginia Allen, The Daily Signal
29. Abortion, Government Funding For Planned Parenthood At An All-Time High—Melanie Israel, The Daily Signal
30. Congress Answers Call To Defund Second-Largest Transgender Hormone Provider—Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell, The Daily Signal
31. Michigan Court Says State Constitution Allows No Abortion Limits—Thomas Jipping, The Daily Signal
32. House Budget Committee Rejects Trump's Big, Beautiful Bill—TIPP Staff, TIPP Insights
33. Republicans Scramble To Regroup After Budget Bill Setback—George Caldwell, The Daily Signal
34. Partisan Fighting Flares Over Medicaid Funding—George Caldwell, The Daily Signal
35. GOP Senator Really Doesn’t Want To Take ‘Big Hammer’ To Biden’s Massive Climate Bill—Melissa O'Rourke, DCNF
36. Anti-Trump Governors Scheduled Briefings On National Guard ‘Protections,’ ‘Deployments’—Fred Lucas, The Daily Signal
37. ‘Gravy Train Is Over’: Trump DHS Probing California For Handing Federal Freebies To Illegal Migrants—Melissa O'Rourke, DCNF
38. Wealth Generation And The Market Economy—Frank Shostak, Mises Wire
39. Don’t Be A Panican, But Question Government Shenanigans—Matthew Williams, Mises Wire
40. ‘RAISES SERIOUS QUESTIONS’: White House Calls Out Episcopal Church Over Refusal To Help White Refugees—Tyler O'Neil, The Daily Signal
41. Marshaling Senate Support For The Justice For Angel Families Act—Tony Kinnett, The Daily Signal
42. Family Of US Journalist Long Missing In Syria Still Holds Out Hope—Jacob Adams, The Daily Signal
43. Democratic Pennsylvania State Rep Flatly Tells Teen Girls He Will Block Bill Protecting Women’s Sports—Ashley Brasfield, DCNF
44. The Classical Liberals Were Radical Opponents Of War And Militarism—Ryan McMaken, Mises Wire
45. What Colorado’s New Voting Law Means For Jail Inmates And Gender Identity—Fred Lucas, The Daily Signal
46. Global Anti-Woke Movement: MAGA-Style Populist Party Rises In A Britain Ravaged By Climate Alarmist Policies—Tyler O'Neil, The Daily Signal
47. Estimate Claims Medicaid Ban On Child Sex Changes Saves Only Half What GOP Expected—Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell & Bradley Devlin, The Daily Signal
48. House Considers Bipartisan Jewish American Heritage Month Resolution—Jacob Adams, The Daily Signal
49. Lankford To Introduce Bill Protecting Conscience Rights—Jacob Adams, The Daily Signal
50. Trump Names Bishop Who Banned Pelosi From Communion To Commission—Jaryn Crouson, DCNF
51. Trump Bashes Supreme Court Following Order Further Blocking Use Of Alien Enemies Act To Deport Illegal Gang Members—Virginia Allen, The Daily Signal
52. Brandon Gill Comes Back From Parenting Newborn To Save Budget Bill—George Caldwell, The Daily Signal
53. Why The House’s New Education Plan Is A Win For Students And Taxpayers—Madison Marino Doan, The Daily Signal
54. Trump’s Lifting Of Sanctions On Syria Wins Cautious Approval—Jacob Adams, The Daily Signal
55. Seattle Public School Employees Accused Israel Of ‘Colonialism,’ ‘Genocide’—Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell, The Daily Signal
56. Judge Strikes Down EEOC’s Attempt To Force Businesses To ‘Deny Biological Truth’—Tyler O'Neil, The Daily Signal
TIPP Investing Weekly
Your Snapshot of Last Week's Best Performers
🧠 The TIPP 10
Week Ending: May 16, 2025
🧾Top 10 Stocks Last Week
A data-driven look at the 10 biggest winners, all above $20 in price, $10 billion in market cap, and 1M in volume.
Tickers: SMCI | COIN | NRG | ALAB | FSLR | EXEL | RKLB | HIMS | CLS | ONON
🔍 Top Performing Stock Last Week: Super Micro Computer (SMCI)
Super Micro Computer builds high-performance, energy-efficient server solutions for data centers, HPC, and storage. Based in San Jose, it sells through resellers, integrators, and OEMs.
📊 Top 10 ETFs Last Week
A data-driven look at the 10 best-performing non-leveraged, long ETFs priced above $20, with over 300K in average volume and $250 million or more in assets.
Tickers: SMH | SOXQ |SOXX | QTEC | QNEQ | VONG| IUSG | JTEK | QQQ | QQQM
📈 Top Performing ETF Last Week: SMH
The VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) tracks the performance of major U.S.-listed semiconductor and equipment companies. It aims to mirror the MVIS US Semiconductor 25 Index.
📅 Key Events This Week
Wednesday, May 21
- 10:30 AM ET – Crude Oil Inventories
Weekly update on U.S. oil stockpiles, offering insight into supply and demand trends.
Thursday, May 22
- 08:30 AM ET – Initial Jobless Claims
Weekly read on new unemployment filings, a key signal for labor market strength. - 09:45 AM ET – S&P Global Manufacturing PMI (May)
An early look at U.S. factory activity and economic momentum. - 09:45 AM ET – S&P Global Services PMI (May)
Measures business conditions in the services sector, a major part of the U.S. economy. - 10:00 AM ET – Existing Home Sales (April)
Tracks sales of previously owned homes, a key gauge of housing market health.
Friday, May 23
- 10:00 AM ET – New Home Sales (April)
Measures sales of newly built homes, offering insight into builder confidence and housing demand.
